Storm Prep 2018: Food safety AFTER the storm

As we saw in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, severe storms often result in extended power losses and flooding. Many of you did a tremendous job of preparing for these calamities, protecting your health and keeping your food supply safe by taking the necessary precautions. After a storm, it’s important that your food supplies remain safe. Here are some key steps to assure that you and your family are eating foods that are safe:

Never taste a food to determine its safety!

Keep refrigerator/freezer doors closed to maintain cold temperatures.

Food in an unopened refrigerator should be safe for four hours.

An unopened, full freezer should hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours; 24 hours, if half full.

Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

If there is no freezer thermometer, check each package. If the food contains ice crystals, the food is safe.

Discard any items that have contacted raw meat juices.

Following an evacuation, if you suspect that the food has been thawed and refrozen over time, the safest plan is to discard the food.